Effects of stellate ganglion block on perimenopausal hot flashes: a randomized controlled trial

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Nov 28:14:1293358. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1293358. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Background: Hot flashes are common symptoms afflicting perimenopausal women. A stellate ganglion block (SGB) is believed to be an effective treatment for hot flashes; however, more evidence is needed to evaluate its safety and efficacy in relieving perimenopausal hot flashes.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of SGB for the treatment of perimenopausal hot flashes.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted at Shanxi Bethune Hospital. Forty perimenopausal women with hot flashes were recruited from April 2022 to November 2022 and randomly assigned to receive either 6 consecutive SGB treatments or 6 consecutive saline placebo treatments. The primary outcome was the change in hot flash symptom score from baseline to 12 weeks after treatment. The secondary outcomes were the change in hot flash symptom score from baseline to 12 weeks after treatment and the post-treatment Kupperman Index (KI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores.

Results: Of the 40 randomized subjects, 35 completed the study. All the variables were significantly improved. During 12 weeks of follow-up, the hot flash scores, Kupperman Menopause Scale scores, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale scores decreased significantly. Two subjects in the SGB treatment group experienced transient hoarseness, and the incidence of related adverse events was 10%. No related adverse events occurred in the control group.

Conclusion: Compared to the control treatment, SGB treatment was a safe and effective nonhormone replacement therapy that significantly relieved perimenopausal hot flashes and effectively improved sleep quality. Additional studies are needed to assess the long-term efficacy of this therapy.

Keywords: Kupperman Index and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; hot flashes; perimenopause; sleep quality; stellate ganglion block.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hot Flashes* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Menopause
  • Perimenopause*
  • Stellate Ganglion
  • Treatment Outcome

Associated data

  • ChiCTR/2300070017

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The Scientific research project of Shanxi Provincial Health Commission 253 (#2022068 to WWZ), The National Natural Science Foundation of China (#81971365 to XL), The Key Research and Development Program of Shanxi Province (International Scientific and Technological Cooperation) (#201903D421060 to XL), The basic research general project of Shanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology (#202203021221245 to WWZ), China Zhongguancun Precision Medicine Science and Technology Foundation (#Z-2021-002 to WWZ).